Germantown development to build new community feel

The growing Germantown neighborhood in Nashville is about to get a new landmark development. The project is called co-housing, and it's certainly different from anything the city has seen so far.

Almost like a small European village, the residents will design it, build it and then buy and sell the condo units in it.

This will be a neighborhood where you will absolutely get to know your neighbors.

Twenty-five condos, ranging from one to three bedrooms each, will make up the city's first co-housing development, and they will surround a giant green community space.

"Everybody craves community, and I like it, because I have my own little house. I can wash my dishes and clothes, and I don't have to come out if I don't want to. But if I get lonesome, I can come out here and meet with people," said new resident Essie Sappenfield.

The centerpiece in the project will be a common house that residents can use for social gatherings or dinner parties.

It's a neighborhood idea that really appeals to Dr. Stephen Heyman, a Green Hills pulmonologist who's an empty-nester ready for a big change.

"Part of it is we have a beautiful space, but there's nobody there and we wanted to be more engaged with the things that are going on downtown," Heyman said. "This was an opportunity to do something different."